Second

/ˈsɛk.ənd/ adj, adv, noun, verb, slang

adj, adv, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: Something that is number two in a series.
  • Grammar: second is listed as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: 2d, 2nd, abet, abettor.
  • Useful contrasts: penultimate, first, primus.
  • Usage evidence: Everyone deserves a second chance.

How to use "second"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "second" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "second" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "second" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "second" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "second" is acting as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "2d" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "second", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Something that is number two in a series.
  2. 2
    A unit of time historically and commonly defined as a sixtieth of a minute which the International System of Units more precisely defines as the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of radiation corresponding to the transition between two hyperfine levels of caesium-133 in a ground state at a temperature of absolute zero and at rest.

    "Holonyms: decasecond < minute < hectosecond < kilosecond < hour < day < week < megasecond < fortnight < month < year < gigasecond < century < kiloannum, kiloyear, millennium < terasecond < mega-annum, megayear < petasecond < giga-annum, gigayear < exasecond < zettasecond < yottasecond < ronnasecond < quettasecond"

  3. 3
    One who supports another in a contest or combat, such as a dueller's assistant.

    "The dogs however parted, and after a little handling by their seconds immediately returned to the charge"

  4. 4
    the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the second of the bases in the infield wordnet
  5. 5
    Something that is next in rank, quality, precedence, position, status, or authority.
Show 23 more definitions
  1. 6
    A unit of angle equal to one-sixtieth of a minute of arc or one part in 3600 of a degree.
  2. 7
    One who supports or seconds a motion, or the act itself, as required in certain meetings to pass judgement etc.

    "If we want the motion to pass, we will need a second."

  3. 8
    merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name wordnet
  4. 9
    The place that is next below or after first in a race or contest.
  5. 10
    A short, indeterminate amount of time. informal

    "I'll be there in a second."

  6. 11
    Aid; assistance; help. obsolete

    "Give second, and my love / Is everlasting thine."

  7. 12
    the gear that has the second lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle wordnet
  8. 13
    A manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards. plural-normally

    "They were discounted because they contained blemishes, nicks or were otherwise factory seconds."

  9. 14
    a speech seconding a motion wordnet
  10. 15
    An additional helping of food. plural-normally

    "That was good barbecue. I hope I can get seconds."

  11. 16
    the official attendant of a contestant in a duel or boxing match wordnet
  12. 17
    A chance or attempt to achieve what should have been done the first time, usually indicating success this time around. (See second-guess.)

    "The policeman smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Now if you'll follow me, I'll escort you to the Victoria." "Oh, there's no need of that. If you'll just point me in the right direction..." That's what got you in trouble the first time around. You don't need a second."

  13. 18
    a 60th part of a minute of arc wordnet
  14. 19
    The interval between two adjacent notes in a diatonic scale (either or both of them may be raised or lowered from the basic scale via any type of accidental).
  15. 20
    following the first in an ordering or series wordnet
  16. 21
    The second gear of an engine.
  17. 22
    1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites wordnet
  18. 23
    Second base.
  19. 24
    a particular point in time wordnet
  20. 25
    The agent of a party to an honour dispute whose role was to try to resolve the dispute or to make the necessary arrangements for a duel.

    "Since he [i.e., Abraham Lincoln] had very long arms, he chose cavalry broadswords and took lessons in sword fighting from a West Point graduate; and, on the appointed day, he and [James] Shields met on a sandbar in the Mississippi River, prepared to fight to the death; but, at the last minute, their seconds interrupted and stopped the duel."

  21. 26
    an indefinitely short time wordnet
  22. 27
    A Cub Scout appointed to assist the sixer.

    "Many packs have a sixer's council where the sixers, and sometimes the seconds, meet with Akela and some of the other leaders."

  23. 28
    A second-class honours degree. informal

    "[Stephen Hawking] […] would go to Cambridge, he said, if they gave him a first, and stay at Oxford if they gave him a second. He got a first."

Verb
  1. 1
    To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (See etymology 3 for translations.) transitive

    "I second the motion."

  2. 2
    To transfer temporarily to alternative employment. UK, transitive

    "The army officer was seconded while he held civil office."

  3. 3
    transfer an employee to a different, temporary assignment wordnet
  4. 4
    To follow in the next place; to succeed.

    "In the method of nature, a low valley is immediately seconded with an ambitious hill."

  5. 5
    To assist or support; to back. transitive

    "Wee haue Supplyes, to ſecond our Attempt:[…]"

Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    give support or one's approval to wordnet
  2. 7
    To climb after a lead climber.
  3. 8
    To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (This may come from etymology 1 above.) transitive

    "I second the motion."

  4. 9
    To accompany by singing as the second performer. transitive
Adjective
  1. 1
    Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two. not-comparable

    "He lives on Second Street."

  2. 2
    Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior. not-comparable

    "May the day when we become the second people upon earth […] be the day of our utter extirpation!"

  3. 3
    Being of the same kind as one that has preceded; another. not-comparable

    "Residents of Texas prepared for Hurricane Harvey, which would in some ways turn out to become the second Hurricane Katrina."

Adjective
  1. 1
    a part or voice or instrument or orchestra section lower in pitch than or subordinate to the first wordnet
  2. 2
    coming next after the first in position in space or time or degree or magnitude wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    After the first; at the second rank. not-comparable

    "Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system."

  2. 2
    After the first occurrence but before the third. not-comparable

    "He is batting second today."

Adverb
  1. 1
    in the second place wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
2d2ndabetabettorabundant yearacademic year

Example

"Everyone deserves a second chance."

Common questions

What does "second" mean?

Something that is number two in a series.

What is a synonym for "second"?

Common synonyms include: 2d, 2nd, abet, abettor, abundant year, academic year.

How do you use "second" in a sentence?

Everyone deserves a second chance.

How do you pronounce "second"?

Pronounced /ˈsɛk.ənd/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (“following, next in order”), from root of sequor (“I follow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“to follow”). Doublet of secund and secundo. Displaced native twoth and partially displaced native other (from Old English ōþer (“other; next; second”)).

Etymology 2

From Middle English secunde, seconde, borrowed from Old French seconde, from Medieval Latin secunda, short for secunda pars minuta (“second diminished part (of the hour)”).

Etymology 3

From Middle French seconder, from Latin secundō (“assist, make favorable”).

More for "second"

Synonyms

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